by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 26th of February 2024

To Hilda van der Lee, the most important is looking around and trying to capture it. Nature in all its beauty. It is as simple as that... She loves to be out in the field and in the forests but also enjoys a lot her wild garden. Hilda loves to use analogue lenses to make her works more artistic and to have more variety.  She is a fine artist lady.  Discover more about her through this interview and enjoy!

 'tall trees' 

 'orange'

Well such an honour to be asked for an interview by Yvette! Thank you! I like to introduce myself, I live in the Netherlands, my name is Hilda van der Lee. I live in the centre of our little country. Which gives my a good start for visiting beautiful areas here near by.

When and how did you start your photographic journey?

When I go back in time I think it started with my Dad who was taking photos from my earliest childhood and in later years he continued taking photos mostly of nature in the mountains during the holidays when travelling with my mom. I started taking photos after I got an analogue Minolta camera from a friend. I think I was 35. Then the digital camera’s appeared and I got a Canon bridge camera from my husband. In the beginning I could not handle it. I almost throw it in the ditch! I never took any class or workshop. But finally I started to understand the camera and I switched to an Canon EOS 70D.

For many of us photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship with photography?

To me it is a way of living, I always have a camera with me. During the years I was taking care of my mom, it helped me to escape from these difficult times. I really forgot everything when I am in company of my camera.

What would be the most important experience so far that has influenced your steps in photography?

The discovery of the analogue lenses learned and brought me a lot of knowledge. More artistic in my photos and more variety. The next important discovery was the light-pad which gave and still gives my lots of joy in the art of editing.

You have your own style, but your work is very diversified.  I see lovely florals, macro photographs, creatively edited flower shots, and even some beautiful forest shots. Can you explain why this is?

I love to be out in the field and in the forests here in the Netherlands, especially when the weather is foggy.  But sometimes I can not go out and then I have my garden with lots of flowers. The garden is rather wild but to me it is a fine place to be and to take photos. I can go in the yard when the light is right and have all the time in the world to search for the right angle and light.

What is more important to you, the mood,/story behind your images or the technical perfection?

That is an easy question! The mood and the story matter more to me then technical perfection. I take all my photos handheld, never use a tripod. Sometimes I try to experiment with unsharp photo's looking for a more aquarelle like images. Then colour is the main thing I focus on.

What generally is your relationship to your subject matter beyond being an observer? Do you prepare carefully the locations where you are intending to photograph?

I have a dear photography friend. We go out  a lot on photo trips together. But she is the person who searches for locations. I love it when I know a new location and I like to go there again and again. I have taken many photos of the old oaks in small the forest not far from where I live. The photos are all different.

Describe your overall photographic vision.

What counts is looking around, your eyes can see the beauty surrounding you but  your camera can’t.

Can you please tell us something more about your workflow from the idea to the final product?

Mostly my forest and macro photos are intuitive. Which means that I try to capture what I see and like. My light-pad photos are based on which flowers or subjects are available and which combinations I can find in my archives counting about ten thousand photos. I use Lightroom and the website Ipiccy. Photoshop still has lots of secrets to me.

Where do you look to find inspiration and what inspires you the most?

Nature in all its beauty. It is as simple as that... Well to me it is!  Although I also love architecture and street photography, I hardly come in the cities.

Many are of the opinion that the gear is not very important when the passion for photography is strong. However, can you please share with us what gear you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?

I agree on that, but not when it comes to my vintage lenses. I am convinced that they give a special atmosphere that digital lenses do not give. I don't have a tripod. I have 2 Canon cameras EOS 70D and 90D. My lenses: Canon 18-135mm, Laowa 60mm, Laowa 25mm, Helios 44 Petzval, Helios 44, Helios 40, Pentacon 50mm, Meyer Trioplan 100mm, Meyer Oreston 50mm,Meyer Domiplan,  Angenieux 60, a Projectorlens, Porst 58mm, Tair 135mm, Zeiss Biotar 58mm, Lensbaby Velvet 56mm, Lensbaby Edge 50mm

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose works have influenced you and your photography?

There are some Dutch photographers who inspire me a lot. For flower photography, my favourite artists are Jackie Kramer and Kathleen Clemons. For ICM photography my favourite artist is Erik Malm.

Now, since we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would kindly ask you to share with us your plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.

I would love to experience with the ICM techniques and also finally win my struggle with Photoshop.

Is there anything else you wish to add  and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?

I like 1x a lot. I would love to use more the feedback options but there is the restriction of the amount of words you need to use to explain your question.

'lightfooted'

'a curtain of trees'

'the frivolities'

'straight'

'tulip fantasy'

'Aqua'

'mysterious light'

'wet feet'

'lush green'

'festive autumn'

'ghostly forest'

'holding on'

'the gate keepers'

'trees'

'couloured leaves'

'a party for two'

'Feather lightness'

'flowers festival'

'Double purple'